The French Bulldog has dethroned the Labrador Retriever from its long-standing position as the most popular dog breed in the United States, a title the Labrador held for 31 years. The French Bulldog has won this prestigious title for the first time and is now recognized by the American Kennel Club, which was established in 1884, as the "Frenchie."
The friendly Labrador had topped the list for 31 years, while the French Bulldog, which has ended this dominance, was ranked 14th in 2012. The rise in popularity of the French Bulldog over the past decade can be attributed to their characteristics of being "playful, versatile, loyal, and companionable." The popularity ranking established by the American Kennel Club each year is based on the number of registered dogs of each breed.